Melancholy music can be enjoyable, provide comfort or cause pain depending on the listener, a new study has found. Here are the saddest songs from Scotland.

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FROM celtic ballads, to chart topping break-up songs, Scotland is famous for its tear-jerking, gut-wrenching music.

Now a new study reveals why people love our talent for producing so much melancholy music.

Researchers at Durham University and the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, found that, for many listeners, sad music led to feelings of pleasure related to enjoyment of the music.

It was also discovered that sad music can evoke memories, leading to feelings of comfort.

In recognition these findings (and just to show off how good we are at being gloomy), we've put together a list of some of the most beautifully heartbreaking songs in Scotland, which you can listen to in our video clip above. Note: hankies may be required.

Deacon Blue - Dignity

Maintaining their signature late 80s pop sound, Dignity was one of Deacon Blue's most profound moments. It finds just the perfect balance between triggering those feelings of melancholy whilst still being incredibly catchy.

The Proclaimers - Sunshine On Leith

Besides their unofficial national anthem I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), this is one of The Proclaimers biggest and most-loved songs. It also happens to be one of their saddest. The first line is "My heart was broken." Enough said.

Robert Burns - My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose

Although he was primarily known as a poet, the Bard wrote many beautiful songs in his time, including the world famous Auld Lang Syne, and My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose. We particularly love the Eddi Reader version and this version by actor Sam Heughan, who recited the classic for Burns Night.

Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me

The debut single from one of Scotland's biggest rock bands is also one of their most melancholy. Despite what the title might suggest, it's about much more than the notoriously wet Scottish weather.

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Travis

Annie Lennox - Why

Both as one half of The Eurythmics and as a solo artist, Annie created some of the most innovative and soulful music of the 1980s. With songs like this that tug on our very heart strings, we're proud to call her one of our own.

Dougie Maclean - Caledonia

There are many versions of this glorious patriotic ballad, but none more emotional and heartfelt than that of Dougie Maclean. The song became somewhat of an anthem during the Scottish Independence Referendum, but you'd be hard pressed to find a Scot who doesn't love it. You can watch Dougie perform the classic here.

The Fratellis - Whistle For The Choir

The Fratellis burst onto the scene in the mid 00s with their catchy indie pop tunes. But, believe it or not, these cheeky chaps had a hidden talent for sadness and melancholy and no song portrays this better than Whistle For The Choir from their debut album Costello Music.

The Fratellis

Frightened Rabbit - Modern Leper

Hailing from Selkirk, Frightened Rabbit could be argued as the pioneers of Modern Scottish Folk. Whether you agree with that, or not, it can't be denied that Modern Leper is one of the finest (and saddest) songs to come out of Scotland in the past decade.

The Corries - Will Ye Go Lassie, Go?

We wouldn't have nearly as many miserable indie folk bands in Scotland today if we didn't have bands like The Corries and songs like this. Everything about this famous sing-a-long ballad makes the heart ache and the song is a testament to Scotland's musical export.

Del Amitri - Nothing Ever Happens

Back in the 90s, it seemed like Del Amitri were on repeat on Clyde 1. But with songs like 'Roll To Me', 'Last To Know' and this, we didn't really mind.

Harry Herd/WireImage

Justin Currie of Del Amitri

Biffy Clyro - Many of Horror

Ask anyone what they think are the saddest songs to come out of Scotland and this will most likely be one of the first songs they mention. Simon Neil and co explore the struggles of being in a relationship plagued with abuse and the results are devastatingly beautiful.

KT Tunstall - Other Side Of The World

KT is one of those musicians who can produce folk pop gems effortlessly. And while she's known for her feel-good hits such as 'Suddenly I See', this song shows a softer and more vulnerable side to the star.

Bay City Rollers - Bye Bye Baby

How could we not include the Rollers? This was, of course, one of the band's biggest hits and is a typical story of the one that got away, married with their signature harmonies.

Wet Wet Wet - Goodnight Girl

It doesn't really get anymore uplifting/miserable than Wet Wet Wet. While Love Is All Around is by far their most famous song, in terms of sadness, this one wins by a smidgen.

Marti Pellow from Wet Wet Wet

Belle and Sebastian - I Want The World To Stop

Wehn it comes to choosing a sad Belle and Sebastian song, you're spoilt for choice. They are, after all, the kings and queens of melancholy indie twee. For this list, we decided on I Want The World To Stop and we're confident that we made the right choice.

Test your knowledge of Scottish music - old and new - with our quiz below.